Motorcycle.com

bhiley · 02-21-2006, 11:03 AM

First Post!

teknoman · 02-21-2006, 11:15 AM

Happy for them!

FrankS1 · 02-21-2006, 03:14 PM

Hope that means that there will be more used machines in several years - when my '96 machine finally quits.

I have to figure that more units sold means more trade-ins which means "softer" prices.

Probably I'll be able to afford one of those R1200's in only 8 years..

SuperBill · 02-21-2006, 03:29 PM

In the 1980's, BMW's motorcycle division was losing money on every reasonably-priced, low-tech motorcycle it sold. But every yuppie in the northeast (and elsewhere, I suppose) just had to have one of their high-performance, overpriced cars. Rather than drop it's unprofitable division (like GM did with Oldsmobile and Chrysler did with Plymouth) BMW never lost sight of its "roots" and used the car revenues to finance the development of the R259 "oilhead" engine and a line of more modern (albeit still quirky) motorcycles.

Now they're selling high-performance, overpriced motorcycles fast as they can stamp them out. God bless 'em for saving a very important part of our collective motorcycling heritage.

The_AirHawk · 02-21-2006, 05:18 PM

GM cut a LOT of cars before they killed-off Olds (i.e. the Camaro/Firebird, half of the Olds and Buick line, on an on....)

And it was Daimler that killed Plymouth. (but the writing was on the wall for decades, for any who cared to read it)

Both because nobody wanted the products - they had no "Identities" of their own, merely re-badged and minimally restyled products.

GM just didn't let it drag on for 17 years like Chrysler.

Sad, both marquees produced some of my favourite cars from the '60s/early '70s.

-Scott C.

bmwdude · 02-22-2006, 01:51 AM

This is the way to think.

I have never ever bought a beemer new. Even a two year old bike can be had for thousands under it's new price.

And, unlike say, a Japanese sport bike. The beemer hasn't had the crap beat out of it by some teenager.

bmwdude · 02-22-2006, 06:34 AM

We are truly living in a boom time for the motorcycle industry! A news post here on MO not long ago talked about Ducati profits as being good. To me that is an indicator that the MC industry is doing great as a whole. If my memory is working correctly, Duc has never been a profitable endeavor? Also, for many years BMW didn't fair much better.

Heck, if you recall, even HD was suffering tremendously not that many years ago.

As for BMW. Over the next few years it's going to be interesting to watch what the new HP line up will do for sales. It would be nice if prices came down a little, but I'm not holding my breath waiting for that to happen.

Beyond price, what we riders really need are more BMW dealers! Currently, I must travel 80 miles to find a dealer.

naco_traficante · 02-22-2006, 06:46 AM

Lots of companies seem to be doing well lately including the European companies. So, then somebody else's sales should be down. Or are there that many new riders ?

naco_traficante · 02-22-2006, 06:48 AM

bmwdude · 02-22-2006, 07:35 AM

I think there are that many new riders?

In my own office complex 10 years ago there were exactly 2 of us who rode to work regularly. Now the same two ride in all weather, but on sunny days there are bikes everywhere. Mostly HD's. All except two or three are cruisers.

Sadly, some of these folks have no business on a bike of the size they are riding. But that doesn't stop them.

02-21-2006, 11:03 AM	#1
bhiley Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 30	Re: BMW Group revenues for 2005 rise to new high level First Post!

02-21-2006, 11:15 AM	#2
teknoman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 480	Re: BMW Group revenues for 2005 rise to new high level Happy for them!

02-21-2006, 03:14 PM	#3
FrankS1 Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 156	Re: BMW Group revenues for 2005 rise to new high level Hope that means that there will be more used machines in several years - when my '96 machine finally quits. I have to figure that more units sold means more trade-ins which means "softer" prices. Probably I'll be able to afford one of those R1200's in only 8 years..

02-21-2006, 03:29 PM	#4
SuperBill Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 293	Re: BMW Group revenues for 2005 rise to new high level In the 1980's, BMW's motorcycle division was losing money on every reasonably-priced, low-tech motorcycle it sold. But every yuppie in the northeast (and elsewhere, I suppose) just had to have one of their high-performance, overpriced cars. Rather than drop it's unprofitable division (like GM did with Oldsmobile and Chrysler did with Plymouth) BMW never lost sight of its "roots" and used the car revenues to finance the development of the R259 "oilhead" engine and a line of more modern (albeit still quirky) motorcycles. Now they're selling high-performance, overpriced motorcycles fast as they can stamp them out. God bless 'em for saving a very important part of our collective motorcycling heritage.

02-21-2006, 05:18 PM	#5
The_AirHawk Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Livin' in a Van: down by the Mariana Trench Posts: 10,890	Re: BMW Group revenues for 2005 rise to new high level GM cut a LOT of cars before they killed-off Olds (i.e. the Camaro/Firebird, half of the Olds and Buick line, on an on....) And it was Daimler that killed Plymouth. (but the writing was on the wall for decades, for any who cared to read it) Both because nobody wanted the products - they had no "Identities" of their own, merely re-badged and minimally restyled products. GM just didn't let it drag on for 17 years like Chrysler. Sad, both marquees produced some of my favourite cars from the '60s/early '70s. -Scott C. __________________ *Parfois, on fait pas semblant* Sometimes, it's not pretend Oderint Dum Metuant Let them hate so long as they fear политики предпочитают безоружных крестьян Politicians Prefer Unarmed Peasants Nothing to see here, Citizen. Move along now...

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02-22-2006, 01:51 AM	#6
bmwdude Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Milton, WV, USA Posts: 424	Re: BMW Group revenues for 2005 rise to new high level This is the way to think. I have never ever bought a beemer new. Even a two year old bike can be had for thousands under it's new price. And, unlike say, a Japanese sport bike. The beemer hasn't had the crap beat out of it by some teenager.

02-22-2006, 06:34 AM	#7
bmwdude Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Milton, WV, USA Posts: 424	Re: BMW Group revenues for 2005 rise to new high level We are truly living in a boom time for the motorcycle industry! A news post here on MO not long ago talked about Ducati profits as being good. To me that is an indicator that the MC industry is doing great as a whole. If my memory is working correctly, Duc has never been a profitable endeavor? Also, for many years BMW didn't fair much better. Heck, if you recall, even HD was suffering tremendously not that many years ago. As for BMW. Over the next few years it's going to be interesting to watch what the new HP line up will do for sales. It would be nice if prices came down a little, but I'm not holding my breath waiting for that to happen. Beyond price, what we riders really need are more BMW dealers! Currently, I must travel 80 miles to find a dealer.

02-22-2006, 06:46 AM	#8
naco_traficante Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 466	Triumph, Ducati, BWM all up ? Lots of companies seem to be doing well lately including the European companies. So, then somebody else's sales should be down. Or are there that many new riders ?

02-22-2006, 06:48 AM	#9
naco_traficante Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 466	correction: BMW

02-22-2006, 07:35 AM	#10
bmwdude Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Milton, WV, USA Posts: 424	Re: Triumph, Ducati, BWM all up ? I think there are that many new riders? In my own office complex 10 years ago there were exactly 2 of us who rode to work regularly. Now the same two ride in all weather, but on sunny days there are bikes everywhere. Mostly HD's. All except two or three are cruisers. Sadly, some of these folks have no business on a bike of the size they are riding. But that doesn't stop them.